AI and Human Life: Ethics, Politics, Subjectivity.

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
PHIL 2015
Course ID icon
Course ID
204525
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Humanities
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Philip Gerrans
Course level icon
Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

Artificially Intelligent systems are capable of controlling (and in some cases already do control) crucial areas of human life. This course provides the conceptual framework that allows students to (a) understand the nature and scope of innovation in AI (b) evaluate arguments about ethical and political questions use of AI in a range of contexts from medicine and warfare to privacy, surveillance and intimate personal behaviour.(c) understand the relationship between computational architecture and decision making leading to bias or potentially catastrophic consequences. (d) the ethical status of AI systems themselves (e) the relationship between Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and human and biological cognition. This course gives students a toolkit to critically reflect on these questions using cutting edge case studies of the use of AI in politically and ethically charged contexts.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 25788
Section
Section SE01
Size
Size 60
Available
Available 56
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 218
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 218

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • Must not have completed PHIL2053 AI and Human Life - Ethics, Politics, Subjectivity. at the University of Adelaide OR must not have completed PHIL5000 Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.

Degree list
The following degrees include this course